Garden-tool.



E. L. NOLAN.

GARDEN TOOL.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 29, 1913.

1 ,O 232,O 1;O, Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

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ELMER L. NOLAN, OF ELKHABT, INDIANA.

GARDEN-TOOL.

Application filed March 29,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELMER l1. NOLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garden-Tools, o'l which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in garden tools, and more particularly to that class of implements in which a handle may be interchangeably used with a plurality of tools which are provided with an especially constructed shank.

An object Of this invention is the provision of a device of this character, comprising a handle and a handle socket, the socket being constructed so that it may be connected to any one of a plurality of garden tools.

A further object of this invention the provision of a handle provided with a bandle socket, the socket being formed with a longitudinal rib and an upstanding threaded stem projecting from said rib, and each of the tools used in connection with the handle being formed with a shank having a longitudinal groove therein for engagement with said rib and an opening for engagement with the stem, and a winged nut adapted for engagement with the upstanding stem to clamp the shank of the tool, to the socket.

\Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, to be hereinafter more :lully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation ot my device partly in section; Fig. 9 is a top plan view; and Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a handle which is adapted for use in connection with a garden tool or implement of any character desired. Connected to one end of the handle is a handle socket 2 which is secured to the handle in any desired manner, the upper face of the socket being formed with a longitudinally extending rib 3 which terminates short of the ends of the socket, and project ing upwardly from the ribs 3 is a threaded stem 4:.

5 is the blade of the garden tool which is in this instance illustrated as a hoe, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent ed Dec. 1913.

1913. Serial No. 757,679.

blade being provided with an integral shank (S which is formed in its lower lace intermediate o'l. its ends with a longitiulinally extending groove 7. The shank is also pro vided with an opening 8 registering with the groove 7. V

In the practical use of my device. the tool which is desired for use and which is provided with a shank of the construction hereto'lore desm-ibed, is engaged with the socket 2 oil the handle so that the stem 1- is passed through the opening 8 in the shank, and the groove 7 is engaged with the rib 3 thereof. It will be seen that the end walls and the side walls ol the groove 7 prevent lateral or longitudinal movement of the tool with relation to the handle, to securely clamp the shank of the tool to the handle, a winged nut 9 is threaded on the upstanding stem 4t to bear against the upper face of the shank 6, whereby the several parts of the device are rigidly held in position.

From the above description taken in conncction with the accom ninying drawing, it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and ellicieut garden tool, in which any one of a plurality of tools may be readily secured to or detached from a single handle, and one which consists of a mininuun number of parts, and which may therefore be cheaply mamrl'ai'itured and readily assembled.

Having thus fully described my invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An implement comprising a handle having a socket at one end, said socket being termed with a longitudinal rib intermediate oil its ends, a tool provided with a shank having a longitudinal groove intermediate of its ends for engagement with said rib, and means for securing said shank to said socket, as and tlior the purpose described.

2. An implement comprising a handle having a socket at one end, a longitudinal rib on said socket, an upstanding stein projecting from said rib, and a tool having a shank provided with a longitudinal groove For engagement with said rib, said shank being also provided with an opening for engagement with said stem, and means adapted for engagement with said stem for securing said shank to said socket, as and For the purpose described.

An implement comprising a handlesocket, said socket being provided with a longitudinal rib, an upstanding threaded stein projecting from said rib, and a tool having a shank provided With a longitudinal groove for engagement with said rib, said shank being also provided With an opening to receive said stem, and a nut adapted for threaded engagement With said threaded stem to bear against said shank, as and for the purpose described.

4:. An implement comprising a handle having a socket at one end, said socket being formed with a longitudinal rib terininating short of its ends, an upstanding threaded stein projecting from said rib, a tool having a shank provided with a longitudinal 15 means connected to said stem for clamping 20 said shank to said socket, as and for the purpose described In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses. ELMER L. NOLAN. Witnesses:

Gno. F. BROWNELL, J. S. FISCHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

